JEFFERSON - Louise Meyers has big ideas for a small place.

Meyers, 59, is Jefferson's new librarian. Although she's been on the job just over a month, Meyers has drafted an energetic list of tasks she hopes to accomplish that will make the 800-square-foot library an even bigger presence in Jefferson.

Helping Meyers reach her goals will be assistant librarian Ginger Brinckman.

Already Meyers has scheduled a family holiday program, The Mitten Tree, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the library. Everyone's encouraged to bring mittens, scarves and hats to decorate a Christmas tree. Some of the articles will go to the needy in the community, while the adult-sized hats will be sent to soldiers in Iraq.

During the event, Meyers will introduce herself to the community and tell a story. There will be cookies and hot chocolate.

Meyers is a veteran grant writer, who will use her expertise to apply for funds to buy new materials for the library. Currently, her annual purchasing budget is $5,000.

"When books cost so much, that's not even enough money to buy one book per person per year for everyone in Jefferson," she said.

Meyers also will devote time to bringing the current collection up to date.

The library's two World Book Encyclopedias are 25 years old, and many of the reference materials and children's books and videos are dated.

She is encouraging people to donate their contemporary books, CDs and videos to the library once they've finished with them. If the materials already are in the collection, Meyers will give them to the Jefferson Friends of the Library for a book sale. Proceeds from the sales go to the library's operation.

The shelves at the library are jammed full, so Meyers is looking to acquire more shelving.

"My predecessor cleared out the old and damaged materials, and now I want to rearrange what's here to highlight the more popular items," she said.

After starting work Nov. 1, Meyers made a point to visit with school Superintendent Robert Wadlow. The two exchanged ideas about ways the library could assist middle and high schools students with their research projects. She told Wadlow, the Jefferson library can request materials from libraries in Polk, Yamhill and Marion counties.

"We have lots of resources available," she said.

Meyers estimates that between 40 to 50 people visit the library during operating hours, and they check out about 140 items each day the facility is open.

Many browse the shelves or use one of the library's four computers.

Some come in to see, Booker, the library's four-year-old black, stray that showed up a year ago and now calls the library home.

"When people don't see him, they ask where he is," Meyers said. "He likes to be outside when the weather's good, otherwise he sits on the shelves or at the computers. If someone is allergic to or afraid of cats, Booker goes out."

Meyers grew up near Grants Pass and received her master's in library science from the University of South Florida. She has worked at several libraries including the Douglas County Library, the Roseburg Library, the Multnomah County Library, the Tigard Library and the Monmouth Library.

She intends to stay in Jefferson until she retires, which will not occur for a while yet, she said.

At the Library

Who: Louise Meyer, Jefferson's new librarian

Library hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Closed 1 to 2 p.m.

Location: Conser House, 128 N. Main St.

Special event: The Mitten Tree, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the library. People are encouraged to bring mittens, scarves and hats to decorate a Christmas tree